SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 167 



the Blackpool ground, and on the Mersey banks. It 

 seems unlikely that we shall gain much further, or more 

 exact, information than we now possess with regard to 

 the distribution and inter-relations of the shrimps and 

 fishes with any less expenditure of time. Three hauls on 

 different parts of the grounds should be taken during 

 each day's work. It need scarcely be pointed out, how- 

 ever, that these hauls would also give us statistics in 

 regard to other fishes, and generally add to our know- 

 ledge in various other useful directions. It would, pro- 

 bably, be impossible to report satisfactorily upon all the 

 matters referred to in the above outline in less than two 

 years, and a consideration of the work and statistics 

 required to solve the problems shows how necessary it is 

 that we should have a second steamer in this district, 

 devoted solely to scientific and statistical investigation. 



